Strength. A word that is defined differently by so many people. Most of the time we look at this word as something that means being built, having these crazy bulky arms, etc. To me I look at it being defined as having that strength from within. Mentally, and physically. It all comes from the heart.

I looked in the mirror tonight after a long day of work and after a vigorous workout at the boxing gym, I saw a strong female inside and out.  Lately, sometimes I find myself falling short on this. There are days where I feel like I am turning the boxing gloves to myself instead of where I should be hitting them, my insecurities, anxiety, life’s pressures, and so on. I get hard on myself and become my worst enemy. I think most of us can relate to this. We all have to  realize that everyday we are putting on our boxing gloves to fight through a hard day of work, school, and other responsibilities in front of us. But the key to fighting this is to keep a positive mind set, keep our heads up everyday, and by this we are winning, and becoming stronger by doing this.

Since I have been consistently training endlessly at the boxing gym every week making time after work, I noticed how much improvement I began to see in me physically. Also, even mentally despite that it might not show on the outside I have been seeing it in myself.  My passion to train, and to continue living a healthy lifestyle has helped me to grow and become a stronger person. There has not been one day I have backed down to not continue striving to be at my best and not leave room for more growth.  Eventually I will work up to where I want to be in life. Everything takes time, but it is up to us to take matters into our hands and make the best out of it and grow everyday. I am proud of who I am and who I become as a young, confident, and strong woman. We should all feel the same way about ourselves. So keep your gloves up and whatever life throws at you be ready to take a hit at it. Remember you are the champion at the end winning the last fight and that will make you all that much stronger.

Do you ever just crave carbs, pasta, bread, all of the above? Oh believe me, I do.  Especially coming from a huge Italian family we live off of eating the carbohydrates.  Pasta is our big delicacy.  I was running some errands today and stopped at the grocery store to do some food shopping.  My biggest rule in my family is that I do all of the grocery shopping because I like to buy all of the healthier food options and slowly but gradually have helped my family become more aware of incorporating a healthier diet and overall lifestyle now.  Luckily they appreciate it!

When I was at the grocery store making my way towards the produce department I found these vegetable based noodles.  I was so fascinated by them.  They had zucchini, sweet potato, and butternut squash noodles.  I could not resist and bought them.  It was not your typical noodle, or traditional pasta product but a healthier modification to that.  I could make many delicious dishes that are equally filling and something to go noodles about after.  I purchased the zucchini and sweet potato noodles.  You get so many health benefits from both.  Zucchini contains high fiber and protein content, full of Vitamin C, eye health, anti-inflammatory, full of minerals, etc. Sweet potatoes contains beta-carotene, rich in Vitamin C and E, high levels of B6 and potassium, fiber, iron, Magnesium and Vitamin D, etc. Who new you could get so much of these rich nutrients from actually eating these yummy noodles.

Growing up my family excessively incorporated so much simple carbohydrates into our diet.  That being said, that is why obesity and type 2 diabetes runs in my family.  There was not much awareness as today about choosing healthier versions of carbohydrates, such as simple versus complex. Both are used in the body for energy. Simple carbohydrates are broke down quicker in the body to be used as energy and should be limited in your diet. They can be found in fruits, milk, milk products, and in many processed and refined sugars. Complex carbohydrates are better for you because they are not broken down in your body as fast.  Such can be found in food sources such as beans, peas, whole grains, and vegetables. The fiber in fruits and vegetables changes the way that the body processes their sugars and slows down their digestion making it complex for your body to break down.

Overall, use your noodle next time you make a pit stop at the grocery store and choose what foods you buy wisely. Make sure whatever you decide to grab with your hands off the shelf is something that will benefit you, and your health. Remember, healthy living is in your hands, literally.

Food for a happy life is how I think of it!